Or at least it might argued that if one can afford advanced technology, one will also afford the slightly less advanced technology needed to make the main tech look pretty.

That way, Ardra can do neater transporter tricks than Picard: she adds the pretty parts with cheap holographics, while Starfleet sees no benefit in camouflaging the glare or whine of a transporter effect. That is, Starfleet other than SF Intelligence or its bastard offspring Section 31...